ZOZO Championship Showdown: Thomas, Fowler, and more prepare for shootout finish
By Darrin Dow
The 2024 ZOZO Championship at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club in Chiba, Japan, is shaping up to be a closely fought battle. With the course in superb condition, the stage is set for a dramatic weekend where low scores and strategic play will determine the champion. Held from October 24-27, this tournament brings top PGA Tour players, including Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler, both making significant moves up the leaderboard.
ZOZO Championship Course Conditions and Layout Highlights
Narashino Country Club’s setup offers a blend of challenging holes and prime scoring opportunities. Course superintendent efforts have resulted in smooth greens and meticulous grooming, creating ideal conditions for the field. Only seven holes have been playing over par in the opening rounds, offering several chances for players to score low. The closing stretch, in particular, becomes a birdie race, especially after the 490-yard, par-4 12th hole, with every hole thereafter yielding below-par opportunities except for the challenging 491-yard par-4 17th.
Here are some of Narashino's most notable holes:
• Hole 4 (Par 4, 505 yards) – This is one of the hardest on the course, playing to a 4.239 average score, demanding precise shots to avoid bogeys and even double bogeys.
• Hole 6 (Par 5, 587 yards) – A crucial scoring hole, Hole 6 has rewarded aggressive play with birdies and eagles, averaging a low 4.568.
• Hole 18 (Par 5, 562 yards) – The finishing hole has allowed many to wrap up their rounds strongly with birdies or eagles, averaging 4.374.
Six of the final nine holes are playing under par. Here’s a breakdown of how each hole is playing compared to par:
Hole | Par | Yards | Score | +/- Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 4 | 405 | 4.019 | +0.019 |
2 | 4 | 363 | 3.878 | -0.122 |
3 | 3 | 180 | 2.968 | -0.032 |
4 | 4 | 505 | 4.239 | +0.239 |
5 | 3 | 205 | 3.077 | +0.077 |
6 | 5 | 587 | 4.568 | -0.432 |
7 | 3 | 167 | 2.800 | -0.200 |
8 | 4 | 395 | 3.903 | -0.097 |
9 | 4 | 486 | 4.303 | +0.303 |
10 | 4 | 400 | 3.897 | -0.103 |
11 | 4 | 486 | 4.116 | +0.116 |
12 | 4 | 490 | 4.174 | +0.174 |
13 | 3 | 141 | 2.729 | -0.271 |
14 | 5 | 608 | 4.929 | -0.071 |
15 | 4 | 425 | 3.948 | -0.052 |
16 | 3 | 183 | 2.878 | -0.122 |
17 | 4 | 491 | 4.206 | +0.206 |
18 | 5 | 562 | 4.374 | -0.626 |
Contenders and Round Highlights
The low scores at Narashino allowed several players to shoot up the leaderboard on Friday. Seamus Power and Rickie Fowler each fired a 64, making a surge into contention. Meanwhile, Nico Echavarria sits atop the leaderboard at 12-under par after back-to-back rounds of 64. Close on his heels is Justin Thomas, who, along with Taylor Moore, shares second place at 10-under par. Thomas’s 64 on Friday highlighted his consistency and places him well within reach of his first victory since the 2022 PGA Championship.
Rickie Fowler, tied for 7th at 8-under, is also in contention. Fowler’s last victory came at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in July 2023, and his recent form at the ZOZO suggests he’s ready to challenge the leaders heading into the weekend.
Moving Day Strategy and Weather Conditions
As the tournament progresses into Moving Day, calm and mild weather conditions are expected to persist, setting the stage for a weekend of birdie-fests. With several players within striking distance of the lead, players will need to capitalize on Narashino’s scoring holes after hole 12 to keep pace with the frontrunners.
The ZOZO Championship promises an exciting finish, with both Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler in a prime position to end their respective win droughts. The course's favorable conditions and accessible pin placements will likely reward those who can go low in the final rounds, making for an exhilarating shootout conclusion to this year’s tournament.
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